En 15 secondes
- Used to describe inheriting traits from an older family member.
- Works for both physical appearance and personality characteristics.
- Requires a family connection; you don't use it for friends.
Signification
When you say someone 'takes after' another person, you mean they look or act like an older family member. It is usually about inheriting traits like a quick temper, a big smile, or a love for music.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Noticing a physical resemblance
You really take after your mother with those blue eyes.
You really resemble your mother with those blue eyes.
Discussing a shared talent
He takes after his grandfather when it comes to playing the piano.
He resembles his grandfather in his piano playing ability.
A formal introduction
It is clear that the young CEO takes after her father's business sense.
It is clear the CEO resembles her father's business acumen.
Contexte culturel
In the UK, 'take after' is often used with 'the spitting image of' to emphasize physical resemblance. It's a very common topic of 'small talk' at family gatherings. Americans often use 'take after' to discuss personality and 'success' traits, reflecting a cultural interest in where one's 'drive' or 'talent' comes from. In the Southern United States, you might hear 'favors' used as a synonym for 'takes after' in terms of looks. There is a common proverb: 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,' which is the idiomatic equivalent of saying someone takes after their parents, often used for behavior.
Use it for 'Nature'
Use this phrase when you think a trait is genetic or 'in the blood.'
Inseparable!
Never put words between 'take' and 'after'. It's a solid unit.
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe inheriting traits from an older family member.
- Works for both physical appearance and personality characteristics.
- Requires a family connection; you don't use it for friends.
What It Means
Take after is all about family connections. It describes inheriting specific traits from your parents or relatives. You can use it for physical looks. You can also use it for personality or talents. It implies that nature did its work. You are like a 'mini-me' of someone older in your family tree.
How To Use It
This is a phrasal verb. You always need an object after it. You say A takes after B. Usually, B is a parent, grandparent, or aunt/uncle. It is almost always used in the present tense. For example, 'You take after your dad.' It sounds natural and warm. It is like finding a hidden link between generations.
When To Use It
You use this at family reunions constantly. It is perfect when meeting someone's parents for the first time. You might use it while looking at old photo albums. It works well when a child does something funny that their parent also does. If a toddler loves spicy food just like her mom, she takes after her mom. It is a great way to bond over shared history.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for friends or celebrities. You cannot take after your best friend. That would be 'copying' or 'imitating.' Also, do not use it for inanimate objects. A car cannot take after an older model. It is strictly for biological or deep family similarities. Avoid using it for skills you studied hard to learn. If you are good at math because you studied, you didn't take after anyone. You just worked hard!
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, identifying family traits is a common social 'icebreaker.' People love searching for patterns in faces and behaviors. It connects the past to the present. It is often seen as a compliment. It suggests a strong family legacy. Sometimes, it is used jokingly for bad habits. If a son is always late, the mom might sigh and say he takes after his father.
Common Variations
There aren't many ways to change the phrase itself. However, you can add adverbs for emphasis. You can say someone 'really' takes after their mother. Or they 'completely' take after her. You might also hear 'runs in the family.' That is a similar idea. But take after is more specific to one person mimicking another.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is inseparable and always requires an object. It is most commonly used in the present simple tense (takes after/take after).
Use it for 'Nature'
Use this phrase when you think a trait is genetic or 'in the blood.'
Inseparable!
Never put words between 'take' and 'after'. It's a solid unit.
Add Adverbs
Use 'really,' 'definitely,' or 'strongly' to sound more like a native speaker: 'He *really* takes after his dad.'
Compliment or Insult?
Be careful! Saying someone 'takes after' a relative with a bad reputation can be an insult.
Exemples
6You really take after your mother with those blue eyes.
You really resemble your mother with those blue eyes.
Focuses on a specific physical trait.
He takes after his grandfather when it comes to playing the piano.
He resembles his grandfather in his piano playing ability.
Shows a shared skill or talent.
It is clear that the young CEO takes after her father's business sense.
It is clear the CEO resembles her father's business acumen.
Used in a professional but warm setting.
My brother takes after our dad—always losing his keys!
My brother is like our dad—always losing his keys!
A relatable, slightly messy family trait.
The cat takes after me; he hates waking up early.
The cat is like me; he hates waking up early.
Humorous personification of a pet.
The more I grow up, the more I realize I take after my grandma.
As I age, I realize I am more like my grandmother.
Reflective and sentimental.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'take after'.
She really _______ her mother; they both have that wonderful sense of humor.
The subject 'She' requires the third-person singular form 'takes after'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Take after' is inseparable and does not need 'to'. 'Look after' means something else.
Match the trait to the person the speaker takes after.
If I say 'I take after my dad in my height,' what do we share?
'Height' refers to how tall someone is.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Your son is so talented at piano! B: Thanks! He ________ his grandmother, who was a concert pianist.
'Takes after' is the best fit for inheriting a talent from a relative.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Take After vs. Look After
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesShe really _______ her mother; they both have that wonderful sense of humor.
The subject 'She' requires the third-person singular form 'takes after'.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Take after' is inseparable and does not need 'to'. 'Look after' means something else.
If I say 'I take after my dad in my height,' what do we share?
'Height' refers to how tall someone is.
A: Your son is so talented at piano! B: Thanks! He ________ his grandmother, who was a concert pianist.
'Takes after' is the best fit for inheriting a talent from a relative.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, you can take after any older relative, including siblings, though parents and grandparents are most common.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a semi-formal essay, but use 'inherit' in a scientific paper.
No, 'take after' is strictly for family. For friends, use 'I'm just like my friend' or 'My friend influenced me.'
The past tense is 'took after.' Example: 'I always took after my mother as a child.'
Yes. 'He takes after his father's bad temper' is a perfectly normal sentence.
No, it covers looks, personality, talents, and even health conditions.
'Resemble' is just about looking similar. 'Take after' implies you got that similarity from them because they are your family.
No, the phrase only works from younger to older generations.
It depends on the subject. 'I take after,' but 'He takes after.'
No, 'after' is the only preposition you need. 'I take after my dad.'
Yes, it is very common in all major English-speaking countries.
Sometimes people use it jokingly for pets and their owners, but it's technically for biological relatives.
Expressions liées
chip off the old block
similarSomeone who is very similar to their parent.
spitting image
similarLooking exactly like someone else.
run in the family
builds onA trait that many people in a family have.
look like
similarTo have a similar appearance.
born with it
relatedHaving a trait from birth.
